New front shocks for my buggy needed

[Turbopaul]

Can you folks make some recommendations on different shocks for the front on my fiberglass dune buggy. I currently have kyb gas shocks but they are way too stiff. I can't even push the suspension down with them on, with them off I can at least bounce the suspension. They are longer than stock bc of my jacked up front end. I'm thinking maybe some cheaper hydraulic ones. What do ya think?
Paul

[Turbopaul]

Sorry guys the front suspension is a 68 ball joint design.

[slalombuggy]

Cheap oil shocks are fine for street cars

[Turbopaul]

Ok so who makes a cheap oil filled shock? I have been looking and can't find anything. I tried fcs but they are all oil filled. Thanks

[halfassleatherworks]

Rock auto 12.73 each https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=163067...gfb5QhM%3D

[jspbtown]

[Turbopaul]

As salombuggy stated oil filled shocks? Don't they make them without the gas on top?

I had those same shocks on order today from Rock Auto bc I was told they were gas shocks, not oil filled.

Thanks guys

[Turbopaul]

So are the fcs shocks listed above from Rock Auto oil filled like the cofap brand? Those are the ones that are listed on all the vw parts houses.

[EVfun]

Take a couple drives without front shocks and see how it feels. The VW beam suspension has a fair amount of friction. You might find it acceptable, but it will at least give you a reference point. I found the faster front end dive when hitting the brakes helped transfer some weight up front and never had much bounce. My buggies have been king and link pin front end (1965 and older frames) but most of the friction is in the beam bearings, and they are similar for all year Bug frames. My current buggy is a Berry Mini-T and there isn’t room for the king pin beam shock towers.

As far as finding old school oil filled shocks, my first thought would be a street rod shop. I have a real short pair intended for a T-bucket, to see if I could tuck them into Mini-T fenders, but no dice. These have the bushing eyes at both ends as that style was used on K&L Bugs. A rod shop should at least understand shop types and needs, as well as extended and compressed lengths. You might look over at Speedway Motors. I’ve bought plenty of parts from them, they have a more owner-designer perspective.

Some VW parts house should be promoting proper non-charged front shocks, but a quick search didn’t turn one up.
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[Turbopaul]

Ok thanks for the advice. I will try it w/o shocks and see how it drives. I will go from there.

[jsturtlebuggy]

Wolfsburg West in Corona,CA has shocks that are just like the stock oil filled shocks VW Bugs came with.
The have both for King&link and Ball Joint front suspensions.
Also rear shocks too.
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Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960